Punish Anti-War Anarchists

ChronWatch.com ^ | March 21, 2003 | Kevin Willmann

[stratman1969]

Now that the war to liberate Iraq has begun, our nation should put aside partisan differences and come together as one behind our president and our military.

Unfortunately, with some people, that is not happening.

We’ve seen it in comments over the last two days by several elected officials in our government. These people are so blinded by their dislike of George W. Bush that they resort to cheap partisan shots at him. They do this while our men and women in uniform are risking their lives to free Iraq and disarm a rogue regime.

I believe the disharmony they’ve exhibited has inspired nations like France publicly to hinder our diplomacy. Likewise, such rhetoric has inspired the alleged anti-war movement to continue its protests, and even escalate its tactics.

Today, these groups went out into the streets again, attempting to shut down commerce in San Francisco's financial district, as well as other cities across the nation. As I write this, a near riot is taking place in San Francisco.

Protesters at one intersection held banners with the photo of Che Guevara and chanted, ''Bush, you liar. We're going to set your ass on fire.'' Amazingly, this was reported on SFGate.com.

I thought these people were supposed to be ''peace activists.'' That incident didn’t sound very peaceful.

As someone who has counterprotested these supposed ''peace'' activists, I can tell you they are anything but peaceful. They are violent, vitriolic, and hateful. I’ve heard many of them use racist remarks to describe other counterprotesters, yet they claim to be against racism. They call America a ''terrorist nation'' and compare George W. Bush to Adolf Hitler. They say this is ''dissent'' and they are only ''questioning our government.''

Today, the true face of the so-called ''peace movement'' is coming out in their acts of civil disobedience. When people chain themselves to poles, block traffic, and vandalize property, they are not acting peaceful. Their actions are not ''freedom of speech'' or ''dissent.'' Instead, these actions are a form of domestic terrorism.

In a time of war, it is also sedition.

Freedom of expression ends when it becomes criminal and infringes on the rights of other people. Additionally, as our terror threat level has been elevated, these people present a public security threat. Law enforcement gets diverted from its real duty of protecting their communities. At the same time, it takes time and resources away from investigating and preventing possible acts of terrorism.

Even worse, the actions of these mobs only embolden people like Saddam Hussein and threaten to hurt the resolve of our military currently in harm’s way.

Unfortunately, the policy in punishing these people has been one of ''catch and release.'' There is no real punishment for these demonstrators. It is only a small fine and they are released back on the streets to raise more havoc.

This should change now! These hellions should pay a heavy penalty other than a slap on the wrist for disrupting San Francisco and other cities. The organizers of these groups should pay an even heavier price for stirring up the emotions of their groups. They do not have the right to interrupt the daily flow of life of this country. They must not be allowed to get away with disrupting our communities.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Most of the media is liberal so they WILL be egged on this way. Perhaps, since we do need all the police vigilance we can muster, the violators should be charged the full incremental dollar cost of the police and courtroom work they require. That would probably be in the thousands of dollars a violation. With these proceeds hire more riot control personnel.

[OWK]

The organizers of these groups should pay an even heavier price for stirring up the emotions of their groups. They do not have the right to interrupt the daily flow of life of this country. They must not be allowed to get away with disrupting our communities.

Jah!

Vhe Must Nott Haff Zhe Disruptin Und Der Protestin!!

Vhe Must Poot Zhem in der Camps fer de Re-Udecaten and der Right-thinkin...

So zhe can havin der land of der liberty

[FryingPan101]

"They are violent, vitriolic, and hateful. I’ve heard many of them use racist remarks to describe other counterprotesters, yet they claim to be against racism."

Thank you for this post. Even without war as a reason, these people are rudderless, insane creatures. I had first hand reports of these filthy creeps as they marched down streets of Eugene, OR a couple years ago. Terrorizing, breaking store windows, turning cars over, rocking cars stopped at traffic lights, throwing stones though fast food restaurants with little kids eating there. Reason? Capitalism, of course. That was the reason they gave. They are scum financed by communists and in some measure, financed by Big Labor in this country. Solution: Rope.

[SJSAMPLE]

Let them march, protest, chant and destroy whatever they come across. Now the rest of the US (and the world) will see exactly who these idiots are and what they stand for.

While US soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are risking their lives to free the Iraqi people, these protesting idiots will stand in sharp contrast and will further alienate the minority which are truly their supporters.

[annalex]

Anti-war demonstration in time of war is sedition only if it materially endangers the troops or US civilians, and I don't see how any protesting on US soil can do so.

On the other hand, questioning our foreign policy in a non-disruptive way is a constitutional right under the 1st Amendment, which makes no exception for war time.

[goodseedhomeschool]

I agree. They are keeping our officers so busy, the officers cannot do their jobs of protecting us during this time of High Alert. They will be held accountable. I wish I could be the jailer when they bring in a load of them.

[asformeandformyhouse]

Protesters at one intersection held banners with the photo of Che Guevara

Che Guevara? Che Guevara?? My goodness, when will these people wake up and join the 21st century?

[Drango]

They will be held accountable

We wish!

[goodseedhomeschool]

You don't see how that effects we civilians? Let me enlighten you. Let's say there are 30 police officers in a town. There is a big protest of peaceniks vandalizing a city park, (common), the majority of those officers will be called out to keep them in line. Meanwhile, Joe-bin laden (or whoever)now has a distraction and he can proceed to do his dirty deeds and get out, none the wiser because everyone's attention was on the peaceniks.
Bombs go off, BOOM, peaceniks go home happy to have assisted the terrorist.
There have been numerous reports of preventable crimes taking place during these "protests", and went unchecked due to a lack of officers.
So.....you tell me it does not effect us.

[KantianBurke]

THE POLICE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL NOT TAKE SERIOUS STEPS TO STOP PROTESTORS. AS WAS POSTED ON FR AWHILE BACK AND WAHT I'VE SAID AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN:

1) THE COPS LOVE THE OVERTIME! WORKING 12 HOURS SHIFTS ON TIME AND A HALF FOR RELATIVELY EASY STANDING AROUND WORK IS A STEAL.

2) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OF THE BIG CITIES ARE USUALLY SYMPATHETIC TOWARDS THE PROTESTORS.

3) DUE TO ALREADY HIGH COSTS (see #1) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE LOATHE TO SEND ANYONE TO JAIL AND ENSURE EVEN MORE $$$ DOWN THE TUBES.

[hedgetrimmer]

"Our government must treat them as enemy combatants, not misguided imbeciles, and use any means necessary to stop them in their terrorist tracks."

Michelle Malkin--March 21, 2003

[annalex]

If crimes against life or property are committed during the protest, then the existing laws against such crimes should be enforced, regardless of the message of the protest.

[2nd amendment mama]

Here you go.....

[goodseedhomeschool]

You are right. I am not sure that these protesters have not crossed the breach into Treason. It is one thing to disagree with government officials, but to do so in time of war and under a High Securtiy alert is not only unwise, it is ANARCHY AT IT'S BEST.

[goodseedhomeschool]

This is what I am trying to say, that poster says it all. This is outrageous. They might even try to assassinate our president or something crazy, I would not put it past them. These people greatly disturb me. They hate America so much, and you know where they learned to hate it, PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES!

[annalex]

Whether it is wise is another matter. The protesters would tell you, the war on Iraq is unwise. The article suggested that such protests should be banned because they are acts of sedition, and I don't see a rationale for that.

[goodseedhomeschool]

Well I guess we disagree. I am just very protective of my country and I hate idiots like the protesters who want to destroy her.
It really takes me back to Vietnam times. These are the same pukes that spit on our soldiers. I think all the protesters need a good spanking and re-education.

[goodseedhomeschool]

If they have a voice they want heard, why can't they get their permits (as I have done for tomorrow), and truley peacefully speak their mind in a non-obstructive manner. They are not doing this.

[jimt]

Arrest them for their actual crimes, try, convict and sentence them for what they've actually done. Heightened penalties aren't needed.

[annalex]

Would you like to enact a law against war protests or not?